Main Church Building: One of the first tasks after the parish’s erection was to build a proper church to accommodate our faithful. We started with a modest structure, but by 2019 plans were drawn for a larger church. Through fundraising locally and help from friends abroad (notably St. Xavier Parish in Cincinnati, and the diocese), construction progressed. On August 22, 2021, our new church was solemnly dedicated and opened for worship. This spacious church, capable of seating approximately 600-650 people, features a simple but dignified design: a high roof for ventilation in the coastal heat, a sanctuary with a beautiful crucifix and an image of St. Charles Lwanga, and local artwork (like carved wooden doors with scenes of the Ugandan martyrs). The dedication Mass was a milestone – it nearly doubled our Sunday attendance as many more felt invited to the new, bigger space. We continue to furnish and beautify the church (in 2022 we added stained glass panels of African saints, in 2023 new pews were completed). This house of God now stands as a beacon in Muyeye – some call it “the big blue-roof church on Casuarina road.”
Parish Compound Improvements: After the church was built, we focused on the surrounding compound: – We landscaped the grounds, planting grass and flowers. The goal was to create a serene environment conducive to prayer. Parishioners donated various plants; today, vibrant bougainvillea and frangipani adorn the frontage. – Installed outdoor benches and simple grottos of saints at a few spots for private meditation. – Constructed a sturdy brick perimeter wall and gate for security and to clearly demarcate church land. This was crucial as land-grabbing and encroachment can be issues; now the church property is secure and safe for children. – Set up hand-washing stations (tippy taps) around the church and hall during the pandemic. These remain to encourage hygiene at gatherings. – Built a small parking area and driveway. Phase 1 (gravel leveling) finished in 2022, Phase 2 (paving part of it) finished in late 2024. We aim to complete Phase 3 (full paving and marked slots) by 2026. This has made it easier for cars and especially boda-boda motorcycles to park without chaos, and doubles as a space for outdoor events. When not filled with vehicles, children even use the flat space to play after Mass, and youth use it for outdoor meetings. We plan to include some greenery and shaded sections around the parking for aesthetics and comfort.
Marian Grotto: In early 2023, we completed the construction of a lovely grotto dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, right on the parish grounds under a large baobab tree. This grotto project was a labor of love – CWA spearheaded fundraising by selling rosaries and hosting a Mother’s Day breakfast, while CMA provided labor to set the stones. The grotto features a statue of Our Lady (imported from Nairobi) set in a semi-circular stone enclave, with benches around. It was blessed in May 2023 and has since become a cherished spot for private prayer and small group devotions. The grotto is always open and accessible; in the evenings you’ll often find someone there lighting a candle or a Jumuiya having a Rosary session, as mentioned earlier. It has truly promoted Marian devotion and given people a tangible place to entrust their cares to Our Mother. We welcome all to utilize this peaceful space to connect with God through Mary’s intercession!
Outstation Chapel (St. Francis of Assisi, Msoloni): In tandem with the main parish, we invested in establishing a proper place of worship at Msoloni outstation. A simple brick chapel with iron sheet roof was constructed (with diocesan aid) in 2019. Over time we have plastered and painted it, and added basic pews (benches). It can seat about 100 people, but often more squeeze in. In 2024, we did a small extension to serve as an office/store for catechism materials there. Next step is to build a pit latrine and modest fence around it. For the Mayungu outstation, as mentioned, acquiring land is the main hurdle before any structure can rise. Our Strategic Plan identifies that as a priority (SI#5): find and purchase land, then build a chapel. We have a building fund earmarked for Mayungu Church and have raised about 30% of the estimated cost so far. We appeal to well-wishers to help us give our St. Bakhita community a home.
Future Infrastructure Plans: The parish leadership, guided by the Strategic Plan, has a vision for additional facilities to meet ministry needs: – Parish Office Block: Currently our parish office occupies a small renovated store-room. As the parish grows, we envision constructing a modest office block which would house a reception, parish priest’s office, a board/meeting room, and storage. This would professionalize our administrative capacity. Possibly, it could be a two-story building with offices below and a large hall/meeting room on the upper floor that different groups can use (or that can even serve as income via rentals for workshops). – Multi-purpose Hall: If not combined with the office block, a separate hall is desired. It would host large meetings, workshops, and social events like wedding receptions. We hope it could also double as a community resource center, maybe with a small library or computer room for youth to study (tying into educational mission). – Priests’ Residence Extension: The Jesuit community currently lives in a nearby rented house which also serves as a retreat house. Plans are being studied to possibly build a small rectory/Jesuit residence on or near parish grounds for convenience, but nothing concrete yet. We did ensure a guest room in the current office building which a visiting priest can use when needed. – Schools: More on this below, but if our Aquiline Tarimo School expands to primary level, it may require additional classrooms built on parish or adjacent land. So, educational infrastructure might be part of future projects.We approach these projects step by step, mindful of resources. Each major construction is undertaken only after consultation, fundraising, and prayer. Transparency is maintained: budgets and progress are shared with parishioners, so everyone knows how their contributions are used. The fruits so far – a beautiful church, grotto, etc. – stand as testimony to what unity and generosity can achieve.